Naturalist / Deckhand

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

General job description:  Stubbs Island Whale Watching seeks highly motivated “ambassadors of the ocean” who are able to relay their rich knowledge of the marine environment to our passengers while guarding their safety and welfare.  The Deckhand/Naturalists also prepare, clean and maintain the vessels.  All applicants must understand that there is a considerable degree of manual labour, cleaning and repetitive tasks involved in this position in addition to ensuring the wildlife viewing experience has conservation and educational merit. This is not a research position. Deckhands/Naturalists are part of an extremely professional team meeting Coast Guard ship safety standards.

 

Background:  Stubbs Island Whale Watching is British Columbia's first whale watching company, owned and operated by Jim and Mary Borrowman. Now in its 30^th season, the company is dedicated to providing ethical and educational nature tours.  It is a great privilege to be in an area that is frequented by the northern community of resident orca, transient orca, humpback and Minke whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, Dall’s and harbour porpoise, Steller sea lions, Pacific harbour seals and an absolute wealth of sea birds.  The invertebrate life of the “Emerald Sea” is also awe-inspiring.  Please refer to the webpage for a further profile of the company and its ethics.

 

Location: Telegraph Cove on Northern Vancouver Island, BC, CANADA; 4-hour drive from Nanaimo; 1/2 hour drive from Port McNeill. 

 

Successful candidates will:

• Guard the safety and comfort of passengers
• Accept cleaning and maintenance duties as being intrinsic to the position
• Possess an outstanding work and environmental ethic
• Ensure recycling and other environmental practices are carried out to optimum
• Be driven in their commitment to marine and environmental education
• Have a post-secondary background in biology and/or environmental studies
• Have a broad knowledge of marine life and sea birds
• Have a superior knowledge of marine mammals
• Have excellent interpersonal/communication skills with successful public speaking experience
• Supply their own accommodation in Port McNeill (30-minute car commute)
• Have their own, reliable car to commute between Port McNeill and Telegraph Cove (no exceptions as there is no public transport nor opportunity for carpooling)
• Be very flexible, recognizing the need for work schedule amendment 
• Be able to work weekends and up to 12-hour shifts
• Be able to work independently but be very receptive to supervision and feedback
• Undergo marine safety training (MED A1) and recognize safe procedure
• Have current first aid training

 

Knowledge of an additional language would be a further asset

 

Salary:

+/- $12 to $14/hour starting wage dependent on qualifications and experience

 

Applications: 

Apply to: Jackie Hildering, Head Naturalist, Stubbs Island Whale Watching;

Box 2-2, #24 Boardwalk, Telegraph Cove, BC, Canada, V0N 3JO, Fax:  (250) 928-3102

 

Application format: Fax or mail resume and handwritten cover letter addressing position requirements; resume to include names and contact details (include email addresses) of 3 references.  Please ensure references include a minimum of 2 employment references); indicate period of availability. No applications by email please.

 

Deadline:  Applications are to be received at the above address by midnight January 31^st, 2009. 

 

Work term: Positions begin at the end of May/ beginning of June.  One position to continue to the end of August; two to continue to the end of September.

Selection procedure:  1. References of short-listed candidates contacted.   2.  Short-listed candidates interviewed via telephone.  3.  Final interviews must be held on site in Telegraph Cove in February.

 

Only applicants considered for interviews will be contacted.  Contact would occur only after January 31^st.